The Grow Up! Community Fund closes on 16 September
Local groups have one week left to apply for a grant of up to £25,000 and watch their community project bloom!
If you have the seed of a great idea, or if you have an existing project you'd like to grow, then you could be eligible for some fantastic financial support through our Grow Up! Community Fund.
Apply to the Grow Up! Community Fund
The Grow Up! Community Fund has been set up to support sustainable projects that emphasise rural skills and benefit the community.
The £130,000 fund will focus on reconnecting residents with our district’s rich rural heritage, providing volunteer opportunities and strengthening community cohesion – all priorities for the Grow Up! programme.
Projects can vary from community gardens to enriching our local biodiversity, and from constructing an outdoor classroom to arranging cookery classes.
Applications can be for capital projects from £5,000 to £25,000. More than one application can be submitted.
All about Grow Up!
Grow Up! is our ambitious programme of projects that will use Government money to invigorate the rural economy, re-connect people with the countryside and provide employment, education and volunteering opportunities to our residents.
It will support projects in growing, planting, education, skills, biodiversity, workshops, farm visits, kitchen gardens and mental and physical wellbeing.
The Grow Up! programme is being funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which East Hampshire District Council has designated to help rural communities.
There are six main projects, of which the Grow Up Community Fund is one. The other five schemes are:
Rural Grants
The Rural Grant is a scheme to improve local tourism and make stronger communities but closes on Thursday 12 September - Apply Now!
The fund is ideal for businesses and local groups with projects that offer attractions for visitors and tourists alongside tangible benefits to local residents.
Rural Grow Up! Hubs
Working with Butser Ancient Farm we will help fund a new building on site that will transform the volunteering experience and offer traditional skills and rural crafts that will recall our inspirational history and heritage.
The Rural New Directions Employment Outreach
The Rural New Directions Outreach will help people currently out of work back into economic activity.
Rural Business Network
The Rural Business Network helps the council to bring together local rural businesses by providing advice, opportunities and funding to the local business community.
Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme will improve skills and employment opportunities and support local businesses by offering work placements and apprenticeships, This scheme closes on Monday 23 September - Apply Now!
This project is funded by the UK Government through the UKSPF
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.